Departments of Instruction

Division of Geriatric Medicine

The U.S. population aged 65 years and older will exceed 70 million by 2030 – nearly a doubling of the current number. The 2004 US Census data indicate that 9% (360,000) of the Houston population is 65 years of age and older. Forty percent of hospitalized patients and 40% of surgical patients are 65 years of age or older. The Geriatric and Palliative Medicine Division was established to prepare students from all health care disciplines as well as residents to care for older patients and to skillfully provide compassionate end of life care. In order to do this, geriatric and palliative medicine services have been established at both the LBJ and Memorial Hermann Hospitals to serve diverse sectors of the community and to provide both public and private training sites. Trainees attend interdisciplinary team meetings and teaching conferences at both sites.

Clinical areas include: geriatric medicine – acute and chronic, palliative medicine, pain control, elder mistreatment and wound care.

Clinical settings: Inpatient units at LBJ and MHH, public and private outpatient clinics, and house calls.